3.1.1 In programmes for the development of aquaculture it has not been normal to give planning any serious consideration. It is also common to regard planning as being concerned simply with geographical zoning according to biological and technical criteria or with the question of competing and conflicting activities. It is important to stress that, while these may indeed be proper areas of concern, planning must tackle the broader question of how national resources are to be deployed for the effective development and control of an aquaculture industry. Planning is also important to ensure the efficient use of national resources, to improve the chances of achieving desired production targets and to avoid damaging consequences for other sectors of the economy and society in general.
3.2.1 The first requirement is for a development strategy which fits into the national fisheries and overall economic development strategies. These development aims and their general context are stated in section 2 and in earlier project documents dealing with aquaculture development in Greece.
3.2.2 A range of basic data is needed for development planning. This includes information on:
Markets and post-harvest infrastructure:
the existing capacities and future needs for distribution and marketing channels, distribution, processing and storage.
Socio-economic aspects:
patterns of land settlement and ownership, water use policies.
Sources of production:
areas available for cultivation to provide estimation of size of industry.
Data for investment:
levels of rents, taxation.
Legal framework:
3.3.1 Aquaculture requires a wide range of supporting industries and services, and many of these will have to be provided by the public sector. This is particularly true where the development of small-scale, rurally based production is envisaged. Both large-scale and small-scale production require ancillary industries to provide specialized hardware, feed and medicines, and all but the very largest commercial organizations will depend on the processing, distribution and marketing services which will normally have evolved to serve the traditional capture fisheries.
3.3.2 The critical point for the development of support services is the scale of production which is envisaged. Small-scale production, especially in its early stages, will need government support for the production, distribution and marketing phases. This support will need to be provided in the form of research, information, training, technical and financial assistance, and extension schemes and services. Of these, practical and management training, technical assistance, and extension services are of particular importance.
3.4.1 Aqauculture is very dependent on the existence of practical skills and the identification and development of these cannot be overlooked.
3.4.2 The availability of general management skills for commercial aquaculture is frequently neglected in development programmes. Specialized technical skills are also necessary, especially when new, more intensive cultivation systems are to be introduced. Both these requirements are relevant to the current situation in Greece where considerable effort is being directed towards the introduction of intensive forms of mari-culture and where there are question marks over the availability of suitably qualified manpower.
3.4.3 Also of relevance to the current situation in Greece is the key role which extension services play in determining the success or otherwise of development programmes. Extension services are essentially the ‘front line’ of all government efforts to implement development strategies. Fairly unique combinations of skills are required, covering the range of disciplines involved and the ability to communicate at all levels. Most importantly, extension requires an ability to establish positive, constructive relationships with producers. The quality of work at this point of contact will have great influence on whether progress will be achieved with the introduction of new production methods.
3.5.1 In summary, planning for aquaculture development is broadly based. It involves questions of strategy and depends on the collection of a wide range of information. It aims to cater for the whole spectrum of services and supports required for an industry, and certain of these services - management, technical assistance and extension - are of particular importance in determining successful results. Planning should not overlook the development of the practical, management, technical and communication skills necessary to support producers.
